Story perspectives
93% Bathing Sites Meet Standards, But Rivers Lag Behind
11/26/2025
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Story summary
- The Environment Agency reports 93% of monitored bathing sites in England met water quality standards this summer, up from 92% in 2024.
- Only two of the 14 river sites met the standards, raising health risks for inland-water swimming.
- Water Minister Emma Hardy says reforms aim to improve water quality, while campaigners say polluters are not held to account.
- The Environment Agency says more work is needed after recent pollution incidents.
